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Sifting Through Clues
by Daryl Wood Gerber
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This Cookbook Nook Mystery featuring bookstore owner Jenna Hart is a rather formulaic cozy. The author does include some appealing recipes (including gluten free ones) in the back of the book for those who like to cook.
Alfred Hitchcock's Tales to Keep You Spellbound
by Eleanor Sullivan, ed.
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There are thirty stories from issues of Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, most by well-known mystery writers. This is a nice selection, perfect for summer reading
Shamans and Kushtakas: North Coast Tales of the SupernaturalSupernatural
by Mary Giraudo Beck
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Kushtakas were half man-half otter, spirits of those who had drowned. These phantoms appeared to those in danger of drowning and offered to rescue them, but aimed to turn them into kushtakas too. Only those with respect for elders and traditions and a strong will from ascetic practices were able to resist these spirits. The shamans were healers and could see into the future and tried to use their powers against the kushtakas. There are beautiful illustrations at the chapter headings. This is a nice book of native American legends.
Old Books, Rare Friends
by Leona Rostenberg and Madeleine Stern
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Subtitled "Two Literary Sleuths and Their Shared Passion," this book is a joint memoir of two friends, authors, and rare book dealers. They were the ones who uncovered the blood and thunder potboilers of Louisa May Alcott published anonymously or pseudonymously and published collections of these stories, which threw a whole new light on the author of "Little Women." They enjoy their research and their special rare book finds.
Mike Fink
by James Cloyd Bowman
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This book tells the life of the legendary Mike Fink, brawler and noted keelboatman on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Nicely illustrated and full of tall tales of the rough life of the men rowing the river boats until displaced by steamboats.
Real Friends
by Shannon Hale
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This is a great heartwarming book about friends and sticking up for yourself.
The Oath
by Frank Peretti
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This book has truly moved me. The way Peretti goes about painting the scene and developing the plot may confuse you at first, but towards the second half of the book, you come to realization of what is all points to. From the analogy of sin as the dragon, the town of Hyde River being men's attitude towards sin, and finally Levi, the despised "crazy man" just like Jesus, constantly trying to guide us away from the path of destruction, though we ignore him so much. For the christian that is getting too satisfied with life, this is a must read. Sin is crouching at the door of your heart, don't let it consume you.
Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation
by Cokie Roberts
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Roberts, a longtime political commentator, has written an interesting book on the wives and mothers who participated in the American Revolution and the early political life of the Republic. Based largely on the letters women wrote to their families, friends, and political leaders, the book sheds new light on women's contributions to early American history. There are wry asides comparing life and politics then and now.
The Wall Growing Up Behind The Iron Curtain
by Peter Sis
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I really liked this book! 5 stars because it only took me 45 minutes to read. Even though it is technically a children's book, I still found it enjoyable and not simplistic. Sís doesn't shy away from the violence he and friends experienced under Communist control in Prague, and also doesn't shy away from a more advanced vocabulary (what children's book uses the word cataclysmic in the second sentence?). Being born about a decade after the Cold War ended, people always talk about it as if I should know exactly what it was like, diving into deep details before giving me a general overview (and I've already taken both years of global history, so that's not the problem!). This book gave a really excellent summation of how the Cold War started and developed across Europe while also keeping a strong focus in the daily effects in Prague. I would definitely recommend this quick, educational read with wonderful, colorful artwork!
We Have Always Lived In The Castle
by Shirley Jackson
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Reading We Have Always Lived in The Castle was an interesting and enjoyable experience, even considering the unnerving content. The intersection of horror between the physical realm (villagers), psychological realm (Constance's isolation, Charles' unwavering focus on the poisoning, Merricat's childish nature perhaps stemming from trauma) and a hint of the occult from Merricat's magic kept me interested in the story. It is well worth the read, and I look forward to reading more of Jackson's work, starting with The Haunting of Hill House.
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